Des Moines Farmers Market steps up recycling
Tue, 07/02/2013
Visitors to Des Moines’ Waterfront Farmers Market this year will see a new addition to the mix of fresh, local produce, vendor booths and live entertainment—a recycling station where visitors can recycle food.
For the first time, this “can’t miss” station includes a green bin for collecting food scraps, food-soiled paper like paper napkins, as well as compostable to-go containers. It also includes a blue bin for basic recyclables such as bottles and cans, and a black garbage bin that organizers hope will now get used a lot less often.
In addition to the “CleanEvent” station for patrons, market vendors are also embracing the new food scrap recycling collection service.
“Our vendors have been very supportive of our effort this year to reduce the food and packaging waste that is generated at the market each Saturday,” said market manager Rikki Marohl. “For example, Panda Catering’s Dim Sum stand purchased approved compostable condiment containers and the Bean Hut espresso stand has set up coffee ground collection containers on the spot.”
Des Moines’ garbage and recycling hauler CleanScapes is donating the recycling stations and collection service to the market this season.
“We don’t have to let this valuable resource go to waste,” said Signe Gilson, vice president of waste diversion at CleanScapes. “The food scraps, food-soiled paper and compostable containers that we collect for recycling will be processed locally into compost for local yards and gardens.”
So is the station working? After the first market day, a volunteer remarked that he never had to empty the garbage bin, only the recycling containers. This was a big change from last year when garbage containers were emptied multiple times. Market organizers are still working on how best to educate market patrons about how to sort their waste so the green and blue bins don’t get contaminated with garbage.
CleanScapes and the City of Des Moines hope that not only will less material end up in the landfill due to the market’s recycling station, but that residents will also be encouraged to recycle more at home including food scraps and food-soiled paper. Here are some tips on how to get started:
Keep a food scrap collection container near your sink or refrigerate/freeze food scraps until collection day.
Add vegetable and fruit trimmings, meat and dairy scraps, and food-soiled paper such as paper towels and napkins.
To keep your container clean, line it with a paper bag, newspaper or use compostable bags available at local retailers.
Put your food scraps and food-soiled paper into your food and yard waste cart; even greasy pizza delivery boxes, egg and berry cartons, and shredded paper can go in there.
Remember: what you put in the food and yard waste cart is as important as what you leave out. Do not put in plastic bags; plastic-coated (shiny) paper plates, cups and take-out containers; diapers or pet waste.
For more information, visit cleanscapes.com/desmoines or recyclefood.com.